Sunday, May 20, 2018

Origami Swan: Novel Title Change and Cinnamon Rolls (aka Characters)

If you haven’t noticed already, I’m slightly obsessed with
cinnamon rolls. They hold pleasant memories for me. When I was studying for my
undergraduate degree, I would visit my Grandmama every Thanksgiving and Spring
Break, and she made the world’s best cinnamon rolls, and then she’d let me add
extra frosting and let me eat out of the frosting bowl because she’s just that
kind of wonderful person! (We’re not actually related by blood, but I call her
Grandmama anyway.)

And comparing fictional characters to cinnamon rolls is
loads of fun. I like the trend with my favorite fandoms. (Maybe it’s old and stale
now? Who cares!) So I thought, why not introduce the main characters of my
novel, Origami Swan (previously
called Just Breathe), by using
the comparison. Here goes!

Title: Origami Swan

Story Type: novel

Current Writing Stage: querying literary agents

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult Fantasy

Looks like a cinnamon
roll but could actually kill you: Mary Lee Winters

Slightly obsessed with technology and prefers to go by her
middle name, Lee. Carries around an e-guide to the Labyrinth, written by her
dad, “The Professor.” Makes her initial appearance when a vendor at the Maze
Market points her out to the main character, Agatha.

Looks like she could
kill you and could actually kill you: Agatha Jordan

Recent high school graduate who likes collecting books,
discovering the best hiking trails, and working at her dad’s garage. Prefers
logic to emotion yet tends to be impulsive. Makes her appearance as the
protagonist and narrator on the first page.

Looks like he could
kill you and is actually a cinnamon roll: Guy Graves

Also known as the coffee addict or “Guy of Gisborne” and is not
a fan of mornings. At all. Don’t bother talking to him until he’s had at least
three cups of black coffee. Makes his initial appearance at the Maze Market
when he mistakes Agatha for Lee.

Looks like a cinnamon
roll and is a cinnamon roll: Genesis “Jen” Montgomery

A chemistry major and a college senior who likes quirky sci-fi
novels. Tends to be socially awkward but enjoys deep, philosophical
conversations. Makes her initial appearance wandering in the Labyrinth.

That’s just a few facts about the main quartet of characters
in my latest novel. I could say more, but I don’t want to give too much away.

This list isn’t quite the comprehensive cast. I haven’t even
mentioned the antagonists yet! And yes, I know some of the names are weird. #AuthorConfession:
I took some names I originally didn’t like (e.g. Agatha) or random terms (e.g.
Guy) and gave them to my characters, and they kinda stuck. Now I like them and
they’re not changing.

Let’s chat! Who would you most be interested in meeting? Who
are you most like? (Of all the cinnamon rolls, I’m probably “looks like she
could kill you and is actually a cinnamon roll.”) When’s the last time you had
an actual cinnamon roll?